By Elise Mackanych | Additional reporting by Elsa Blue Dunn
Fashion is collaboration. The art of design, styling, modeling, and more is only possible with the effort of artists across disciplines. The bi-annual School of Fashion (FSH) Styling Meetup at Academy of Art University provides the perfect opportunity to build these connections, share portfolios, and plan future collaborations.
The Styling Meetup was created 10 years ago to provide a space for stylists and photographers to meet and work together. “Through the years, it grew to other disciplines as a much larger creative and collaborative gathering,” said FSH Associate Director of Communication & Journalism Elena Eberhard. “Now, it is a way to explore other students’ work and connect with fashion enthusiasts’ work.”
With 160 registrants, this vibrant, stylish, and buzzing event allows students across creative disciplines to share their pieces while learning about others. “It’s a semester kick-off meeting, a cool informal way for students, designers, and models to see each other’s work,” explained Eberhard.
“The energy at these styling events is infectious,” added School of Photography (PH) Director of Lab Resources Edwin Vargas. “Students not only meet stylists but also connect with fashion designers, art directors, and models. The collaborative atmosphere is a perfect breeding ground for creativity and networking.”
Students from the Schools of Fashion, Photography, Jewelry & Metal Arts, Illustration, and Entertainment regularly attend this event, held earlier this semester on Thursday, Sept. 26. Ultimately, the goal is to create a connection that results in pro bono collaboration with one another.
Run of the show
In collaboration with FSH Styling and Art Director Coordinator Banu Reynolds, Vargas, and PH instructor Tim Mena, Eberhard encourages FSH students to attend this event each semester. Eberhard and Vargas began this event with a few introductory words and ground rules: pro bono collaboration—no commercial work—and remember that event time is limited, so they remind students to exchange contact info and touch base later.
This fall’s event was held at FSH’s Atrium at 625 Polk St., where students can bring their portfolios, discuss future projects, and mingle with fellow artists. A unique feature of the event included a fashion-inspired playlist curated by fashion design student Chase Duval Champagne, who DJ’d the meetup with songs inspired by fashion and garments.
The importance of networking
Fashion and photography are critical collaborations, for they allow fashion students’ work to be captured and for photography students to build their portfolios. “Partnering with the fashion department elevates our photography students’ projects to new heights. By collaborating with stylists and designers, they learn how to integrate different artistic visions, resulting in more polished, professional work,” said Vargas, on how this event benefits student projects and why it’s important to network in the industry.
“This collaboration between our photography students and the fashion department is key to fostering successful and well-produced projects,” shared Vargas. “By working alongside stylists, designers, and models, our students gain the experience of true industry teamwork, which is essential for future success on set.”
Student experiences
Fashion journalism student Elsa Blue Dunn interviewed students at the event, including Nasir Dowdell, who shared why they decided to attend this year’s event. “I am a creative director, so I came here to see models, videographers, just different new connections,” said Dowdell.
“I’m just trying to meet all the cool people that I can potentially work with because I am a stylist, photographer, and art director,” said Catherine Karakas, a fashion merchandising student.
When Dunn asked if they had met any cool people at the event, Karakas responded, “I knew zero people who lived in San Francisco until today.” After transferring from an out-of-state school, the Styling Meetup served as an opportunity for Karakas to meet other creatives in San Francisco.
Industry preparation
The Styling Meetup serves in part as a valuable replica of real-world events in the industry. “The meetup reflects the communication part of the industry,” said Eberhard, “[It’s like] a one-day industry trade show in miniature.”
Participating in these networking-style meetups prepares students for the communication, creativity, and collaboration required in the field.
“These styling meetups provide an incredible opportunity for students to engage in real-world production scenarios,” said Vargas. “Working with other creatives allows them to hone their collaboration skills—a critical asset for preparing them for future industry roles.”
To keep up with the latest FSH events, follow @academyufashion on Instagram.